British skiing boost

ADF Nordic and biathlon expertise will be boosted in January when an ADF team competes at the British National Nordic and Biathlon Skiing Championships in Germany for the first time.

The team of four men and six women includes Squadron Leader Mark Betts, Flight Lieutenant Tina Willmett, Flight Lieutenant Satya Tanner and Flying Officer Mel Robinson, all from RAAF Base Richmond.

Team manager Squadron Leader Bob Schouten said for many years individual members had competed as ADF representatives, but this was the first time the ADF would send an official team to compete.

“Our ADF team will be going head-to-head in competition for team and individual awards against teams from the Belgian, Canadian and German military as well as British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel,” SQNLDR Schouten said.

“The competition will be of a very high standard as a large proportion of the elite European skiers are military personnel.”

The team will travel to Austria in early January to begin preparations and acclimatise before the two-week championships start on January 22.

“This lead-up training will involve getting used to skiing and shooting under very different snow and weather conditions than we have in Australia,” SQNLDR Schouten said.

“Also, and more exciting, there will be the opportunity to race in one of the world ‘Loppet’ races of about 50km.”
British and European teams have been invited to compete in the ADF’s next national interservice Nordic and biathlon ski championships at Mt Hotham, Victoria, in August 2005.

.